'Dear police, thanks for giving me a fine'

Tara Miko
Reporter
Tara started with APN in 2010 after graduating with a journalism and politics degree from Griffith University in Brisbane. After two-and-a-half years working on APN papers in the Bowen Basin in Central Queensland, she joined the team at The Chronicle in February 2013. In September that year she took over the reins of the Rural Weekly.

A MAN whose actions at a Toowoomba nightclub left a woman feeling intimidated has written a letter to police, praising them for their professionalism after charging him with the offence.

Security staff at Tatt's Hotel had reported Christopher Daniel Padgett to police after they received a complaint a woman had felt intimidated by his actions inside the club on November 11.

Police conducting Safe Night Out patrols took up with security and found Padgett, unsteady on his feet, walking along Margaret St about 10.25pm.

Prosecutor Al Windsor said police had spoken with security at Tatt's Hotel after staff reported Padgett's conduct towards a woman had made her feel uncomfortable while inside the venue.

Officers issued him with a notice to appear in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court where he yesterday pleaded guilty to the single charge of commit public nuisance within licensed premises or in the vicinity of licensed premises.

Representing himself in court, Padgett said he had turned to alcohol that night as a way to deal with the death of someone close to him.

"I was not dealing with it very well,” Padgett told Magistrate Graham Lee.

He said since the incident he had sought counselling, had avoided alcohol and handed up to the court a letter he'd written to police praising them on their professionalism and duties on that night.

Magistrate Lee noted Padgett's genuine remorse for his actions and accepted the letter he'd written to police dated November 16.

In reviewing Padgett's criminal history, he noted the last entry on his record was in 2000.

Mr Lee fined Padgett $500, referred it to the State Penalties and Enforcement Registry, and ordered no conviction be recorded.